5 players NBA teams wish they could have back on the roster

MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 25: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball while being guarded by Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans in the third quarter at the Bradley Center on February 25, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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4. Eric Gordon

As the clock begins to tick louder on Anthony Davis‘ eventual free agency, one of, if not the biggest narrative surrounding the superstar is the lack of help the New Orleans Pelicans have afforded him since he arrived in 2012.

Jrue Holiday has become a terrific player down in New Orleans, and the Pels did actually try to pair AD with another star in DeMarcus Cousins, but by and large, most of what they’ve done hasn’t led to a substantial amount of team success.

One of the Pelicans’ biggest weaknesses has been their lack of a secondary ball-handler next to Holiday, who can handle some of the point guard duties himself but has proven best off the ball with more of a scorer’s mentality.

Over the last two seasons, Eric Gordon has found his niche for the Houston Rockets as their superb sixth man sniper who can also spell both James Harden and Chris Paul.

E’Twaun Moore has established himself as a competent player, but he’s fairly limited outside of his shooting abilities, and even then, the trio of he, Gordon and Holiday probably still could’ve found a way to work, at least on the offensive end.

Injuries unquestionably played their part in his departure from New Orleans, but Gordon would’ve been of great service to the Pelicans in almost the same role he currently finds himself in with the Rockets, and maybe his presence could’ve helped elevate the Pels — if only slightly — to greater heights.